One in six continental mammal species at risk

Almost one in six species of mammals in Europe is facing extinction, according to research released today.

Marine mammals in the seas surrounding the continent are even more at risk, with 22% in danger of being wiped out.

The European Commission study, the first assessment of the risk faced by all continental mammals, also revealed that more than one-quarter (27%) of all animal populations in Europe were declining.

Intensive agriculture, deforestation and wetland drainage are destroying habitats and putting increasing pressure on species. For marine mammals, pollution and accidentally being caught by nets or hit by ships are the main risks, especially in the enclosed seas of the Baltic, Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

Only 8% of species were identified as increasing in number, including the European bison, which is enjoying a resurgence thanks to successful conservation measures.

Europe is now home to the world's most threatened cat species, the Iberian lynx, and the world's most threatened seal, the Mediterranean monk seal, both classified as critically endangered.

The EC environment commissioner, Stavros Dimas, said: "The results of the report highlight the challenge we face to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010, as European governments have promised.

"It is clear that the full implementation of the habitats directive, which covers nearly all mammals found threatened in this assessment, is of utmost importance to protect Europe's species."

Within the EU, six species have been classified as critically endangered. The most threatened category includes the Arctic fox and the European mink, which both have very small and declining populations. Only 150 Iberian lynx survive and the Mediterranean monk seal population has decreased to between 350 and 450 animals.

The study showed that Europe's mountains and the Balkan peninsular are home to the greatest diversity of species.

This wealth of biodiversity forms an arc extending from the Pyrenees, through the Alps, towards the Carpathians and the Rhodopes in south-eastern Europe. The greatest concentration of threatened species was found in Bulgaria.

The European bison was brought to the brink of extinction during the early 20th century, when the last creatures were saved in zoos.

As a result of reintroduction, there are now some 1,800 bison in free ranging and semi-free herds in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Slovakia.

The Alpine ibex was brought close to extinction in the 19th century by intensive hunting and was found only in the Gran Paradiso national park in Italy. The species is now classified as of "least concern" due to extensive conservation efforts and reintroductions.